If you were like me and watching this in the future, Some of this is no longer true. No, as of June 6, 2024, a recreational fishing or shellfishing license is required to fish for freshwater smelt in Washington state.
@WAFishQuest
2 ай бұрын
Great catch! I'll pin this. 📌
@westportaquarium
3 жыл бұрын
It is so great to see you back doing Washington Fish Quest!!! And I did not see one ad so they must have listened to you!! What a fabulous episode!! I want to run right out for 10 minutes and try it. :)
@westportaquarium
3 жыл бұрын
..when permitting allows anyway, sounds like it is an extremely short season, shorter than Halibut even?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
hey Kathryn! thank you! Yes, it is EXTREMELY short! 5 hours this year! they may open it again, but I don't know.
@staticerror5515
3 жыл бұрын
Love to see your videos
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton StaticError! Cool name btw!
@geewizy525
3 жыл бұрын
Went out today after seeing your video..got my limit right away..thanks
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
that's great! glad I could help!
@bobsnextadventure
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely would love to see more!!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
thanks Bob-- will do!
@gs6810
3 жыл бұрын
I really love how authentic your videos and knowledge of the local fisheries and culture is. Thanks for sharing.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
I super appreciate that GS! No need for me to eat dinner tonight, as that compliment shall sustain me!
@jac2781
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips! Love smelt but have yet to do any dipping. Hoping to give it a shot in the next opening.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jerome! Good luck!
@TheReefRobber
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve never gone. I know some people that do. I’ve eaten them. Very informative video. Thanks so much for sharing! 👍
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks RR! I appreciate it!
@TheReefRobber
3 жыл бұрын
@@WAFishQuest you bet!
@chopitrich2964
3 жыл бұрын
Would love to see that cooking video. As usual. Another great video that has me wanting to try these Washington waters out some more.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton! Will do on the cooking video!
@jisezer
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the great information. Your videos are an inspiration
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Wow, I super appreciate the kind words!
@elisancere3578
3 жыл бұрын
Great video! I live just south of rocky point! Got are limits in 15min.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Eli! Beautiful area!
@cindynelson5140
3 жыл бұрын
Excellent !! really enjoyed it !! Thank You so much ! Stay safe :)
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Your welcome Mom!
@TheLaserguy2
3 жыл бұрын
Appreciate the posting. Nice drive, good weather, got there at 7:45, lots of people but no overcrowding at the bank, and limits in less than an hour seemed to be the norm. Next time will have a scale, the estimate of 1/4 bucket left us light a few pounds when I set them on the postal scale at home.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
awesome, glad it was a great day at the river!
@glincho
2 жыл бұрын
Smelt is a favorite fish, fried with salt and pepper and flower. Simple yet delicious. Just caught one in puget sound!
@WAFishQuest
2 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Thanks for the great comment!
@MrMarkAMartin
3 жыл бұрын
Super informative, thanks! Yes to cooking them up!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Mark! Appareciate it!
@elnino2000
3 жыл бұрын
Great video Blake!!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton! Not sure if I've jammed one out night of like that.
@cpcorbiere
3 жыл бұрын
thanks for the video! I can't tell you enough how much you inspire me to get out there.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
That's the finest compliment I can receive. Thank you so much!
@grantnoble9978
3 жыл бұрын
That was very good info Blake. Thanks for the presentation. Looking forward to more.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton as always Grant!
@ninnyscout
3 жыл бұрын
This is awesome! Gotta see the dip and cook!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton! I appreciate the feedback, I'll fry some up.
@KaoV1983
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the heads up on the opener and all the good info.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
@spiltmilt
3 жыл бұрын
WA Fish Quest's custom license plate "SMLTHED"
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tyler! Oh! Checkout the SMLTHED merch in the WA fish quest eshop! Get 10% off a hoodie with promo code "SMLTHED2021!"
@troytwibell6876
3 жыл бұрын
Redemption for the LaConner trip.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Wow great fishquest memory Troy! At least it was a fun trip tho! I'm still plotting my revenge on those surf smelt!
@levihoward9963
3 жыл бұрын
Looking forward to that dip n cook!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Levi!
@NDSTraveller
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for pushing this out brother! Great info for sure!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton NDS Traveler! Really appreciate it!
@davidbrazell3866
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips! Just chased down a used 14' net yesterday. See ya out there. 🙃
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! I think mine is also a 14 (could be wrong). Good luck out there!
@davidbrazell3866
3 жыл бұрын
Drove up and scouted it today looking for decent spots, there's good numbers of smelt in the river. Should be easy pickings Tuesday.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the Intel! Apparently it!
@carlosc38
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. Tonight is March 1st and I was looking for info on the one day dipping and found your video. Just moved out here and am so excited to learn all I can about catching. Even if it is smelt, lol. Hopefully i can tag along and learn with different fishers.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Good luck Carlos! The regs can be confusing sometimes, but Washington State has a DIVERSE group of fisheries if you're willing to travel a bit in-state.
@garroncrashhaun5533
3 жыл бұрын
Yup, I'm on of those people who came here late from your video of you smelting 😂
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
ha! that's what happens when WDFW announces the Tuesday opener on a Friday. thanks!
@Knasty_Droolz
3 жыл бұрын
Love your videos! Let's see a catch and cook for sure!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Vojtech! Will do!
@outdoorloser4340
3 жыл бұрын
I've been trying to jig for smelt in La Connor, WA with no luck so far, and they closed the annual smelt festival this year! Hope you limit out though.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks a ton! I did a video about that once! I also did not have any luck. Ha ha. Thanks for the kind wordwords!
@derekdavila432
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah smelt up in Laconner isn't good much anymore....locals says it's due to something with water treatment in area
@outdoorloser4340
3 жыл бұрын
@@derekdavila432 thanks man, I've been trying some various other areas, but so far I think I just haven't timed it right.
@EvolvinEvo
3 жыл бұрын
I remember back in the day as a kid playing my nintendo gameboy on a long drive down from Seattle to castle rock and having a blast netting smelt with my stepdad and my uncles, we had buckets full of them! That was the only time I’ve been smelting.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
That's great! Glad you got to experience it when it was truly epic!
@brianboatman5564
3 жыл бұрын
I am, in fact, one of your target audience members. Always love your videos.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks as always Brian! Super appreciate it!
@pacificnorthwestoutdoors8510
3 жыл бұрын
Hey did you get to go this year? My family went! Got our 4 limits in 15 mins!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
That's awesome! Yes, I did go! Second best I've seen it in 30 years. Congrats on the fun family memory!
@tommytacoma8247
3 жыл бұрын
I remember going at night and getting a 100 lbs of them ! You could always find a bag of smelt in the freezer ! Lol ! Man if I never eat a smelt again I'm ok with that . Great Memories though ! Thanks WFQ !
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Ah man right there with ya Mr. T! As a kid I had to drag my net out of the water. I eat one pan fried a year, simply out of nostalgia. I smell those frying smelt, I smell my grandpa (who himself smelled like aftershave and Schmidt beer)!
@39jaker
3 жыл бұрын
Fri those bad boys like you gramps did back in the day.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jacob, will do!
@MrNicktoonslover
3 жыл бұрын
Dip and smoke!!!!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Dipping and smoking? I don't know sounds pretty unhealthy. Oh, the smelt!
@LinnieASMR
3 жыл бұрын
Great video! Where do you buy the dip net at?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
thank you! I believe I got that one at the SportCo in Fife.
@davidmcmullen3864
2 жыл бұрын
I wanna go this sat so bad me and my wife we just don't have nets
@WAFishQuest
2 жыл бұрын
It's tough. Sportco had them in but sold out very fast. 4-6 people will be using my one net tomorrow.
@littlewig111
3 жыл бұрын
Can you dip from a boat?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
I've never seen it. I also don't know of any law prohibiting it. The fact that I've never a rec boat dipper, tells me there probably is something prohibiting it.
@littlewig111
3 жыл бұрын
Ok thanks!!!
@SeaWolfFishing
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you soooo much for making this video! We're going out for the first time for smelt tomorrow. So excited! Maybe we'll see you out there :)
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome! Hope to see you! And I hope you make a video about it. :)
@kennyle4864
3 жыл бұрын
I'm not familiar with the area. Can you or someone give me some advices? I'm from the north.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
I think first get a smelt dip net. Second get off exit 42 on I-5. You'll see the river, and find a place to get to park.
@brianboatman5564
3 жыл бұрын
“Yes” to a follow-up video!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Brian! Will do!
@andersonj1each26
3 жыл бұрын
It’s gonna be madness out there. Maybe we will see you out. Sounds like you go around where I go. Good luck to all. The run is absolutely smoking hot right now from the reports. Lots of birds and sea lions. The natives were overflowing their buckets in 3 dips so could be good or could be a bust like last years second dip
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the intel! Yeah, it's surprisingly tough to predict. The announcement came so late about a 1 in 3 chance I can get the morning off Tuesday. Good luck out there! Full nets!
@andersonj1each26
3 жыл бұрын
@@WAFishQuest yea I got friends sending me videos of the banks just flooded with smelt going up stream. No breaks just steady. Just gotta hope they don’t all shoot you at once
@echopeacock6075
3 жыл бұрын
Great video. Where can I buy a smelt net locally? I'd love to see a video of how to cook smelt. Thanks!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Hello! You'll probably want to call around to see who might have them in stock. I think I got mine at Sportco in Fife. Cabelas even put an out before. If locally is actually around the fishery I'm not sure. When I was little Sunbirds in Chehalis would have them. Not sure if they still would. That's about all I got. I'd just give the fishing stores closest to you a ring. Heck they might not know there is an opener and have a bunch of nets in the back. Good luck!
@jacobbrown8905
3 жыл бұрын
I was so pumped to go! I just cant make a Tuesday work :/
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
For what it's worth Jacob I'm right there with you. I'd be more suprised if I make it than not. I'm glad WDFW penned but they announced it at the end of the day Friday. If you work a M-F that means you have one day to get the next day off. That's a little disappointing.
@jacobbrown8905
3 жыл бұрын
@@WAFishQuest I have so many questions on the reasonings for the schedule. This year has sucked for literally everyone. This seems to be icing on that cake. I love getting out with my family. I understand this is a sensitive fishery. Instead of last minute scheduling, They could do 2, 1 day 2 hour fisheries on a weekend. They could either sell 5 dollar tags for a specific day or do if your last name is A-M you got Saturday N-Z you got Sunday. Simple easy to understand and no one is getting left out.
@davper8619
3 жыл бұрын
Does it matter where you net the smelt? Or is it everywhere on the river ?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
You should read the official press release on WDFW's website for exact boundaries, but it's basically the stretch of river between I-5 exits 49 and 32.
@Andrew36361
3 жыл бұрын
Can someone type me the address to put in my GPS from Portland to this place?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure on an exact address because it's just riverbank. In the area I go, I see on Google maps there is a "the freedom market- kelso canibus." If you drive to there, you will see people on the bank on way, and figure out a place to park. If you get off exit 42 or 39, you can't miss. Just drive along the river.
@jyothishes9949
3 жыл бұрын
Hiii Konnl
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Yo!
@perrykeeler2403
3 жыл бұрын
Where did you buy your net?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Sportco in Fife
@mikebarrager8293
Жыл бұрын
Next time you go to the Cowlitz smelt dipping and you have your little guy with you please make sure he is wearing a life vest. Several years ago a small boy slipped and went into the cold river, the Dad went after him, unfortunately the river claimed both of them. 😢
@WAFishQuest
Жыл бұрын
Oof. That's terrible. Thanks for the comment, Mike!
@ThaxorSmash
3 жыл бұрын
Same salt/brown sugar/sugar brine for smelt? How many pans of chips did you run on a 8 hour smoke? I was thinking of doing them like kokanee with a short smoke since they're also small.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Definitely preference. Some folks do em like a koke. I think it depends on how much smoke you like and if you plan on eating the bones (I even eat the spine). Yea simple brine. I personally use three pans of chips
@speedgraphic
3 жыл бұрын
Dip and cook! Dip and cook! ::bangs on table:: DIP AND COOK!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Lol! Sounds good! We'll see if I can get there to dip but I can at minimum recycle only footage and cook!
@Jarom.M
3 жыл бұрын
New favorite insult: Hey, smelt head!
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
It devastates!
@norrisgarcia
3 жыл бұрын
You are awesome! Thank you for putting this together for us beginner's. Do you brine your smelt before smoking them?
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome! Yes I do. Treat em just like a salmon. I usually do a wet brine. I eat their skin too. It's a very soft papery skin.
@HobbiesHobo
3 жыл бұрын
I found that very interesting, even though I've never seen an "Open" season where I live. I could be wrong but I am under the impression that it is reserved for a "Native Fishery". How long does an average run last? A week and it's all over or maybe even less, just wondering.
@WAFishQuest
3 жыл бұрын
Since the openings are 1-4 days I'm not sure. I think at least a month, month and a half, if the run is strong. When I was a kid I think it was open for about that long (but still on designed days). If native fishery means tribal, I know the Yakama Nation (I'd assume others) have a substance fishery that's more or less open the entire run. I don't know any rules, limits, beyond that. At least on a year like this where the run is ok but not big.
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